Meta Platforms (META) has significantly deepened its commitment to carbon-free energy through two major partnerships announced on January 9. The social media giant has entered into agreements with Oklo Inc. (OKLO) and Vistra Corp (VST), two holdings in the Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ). These updates highlight the intensifying race among Big Tech to secure reliable baseload power for expanding artificial intelligence and data center operations.
The first agreement involves Oklo, a prominent developer of small modular reactors (SMRs). Meta and Oklo announced a deal to support the development of 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy capacity specifically targeted for Southern Ohio. This represents a significant scaling of SMR deployment. SMRs offer a modular approach to nuclear power that is more flexible than traditional large-scale reactors.
Parallel to the Oklo deal, Vistra Corp announced its own long-term agreement with Meta to support nuclear generation within the PJM region. This partnership is designed to sustain existing nuclear plants. Additionally, it aims to provide a framework for adding new nuclear generation to the grid. Vistra has emerged as a leader in the utility sector’s transition to carbon-free baseload power. It will play a critical role in supporting Meta’s energy needs in the Mid-Atlantic region. At writing, Oklo and Vistra are up over 12% intra-day on January 9.
Why Meta and Other Tech Giants Are Looking to Nuclear for Baseload Power
Tech companies are increasingly drawn to nuclear power because it solves the intermittency problem inherent in wind and solar energy without generating emissions. Although renewables are a component of corporate sustainability, nuclear energy offers far superior reliability that is needed for AI data centers. Consequently, this demand has transformed nuclear energy from a traditional utility service into a critical enabler of high-growth technology.
For financial advisors, NUKZ offers a way to capitalize on this trend. The ETF provides exposure to the entire nuclear ecosystem, from next-generation SMR developers like Oklo to established utility giants like Vistra. Furthermore, by holding the companies that Big Tech is actively partnering with, NUKZ captures the intersection of the energy transition and the AI infrastructure boom.
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